NEWSWIRE: 21 July 2014, By Sarah Wilson
Porirua kids get a kick out of computer coding
PORIRUA kids are earning their black belt through computer coding and information technology at e-learning Porirua – but organisers want more children from lower decile schools.
Coderdojo runs fortnightly on Sunday afternoons, with about 20 children from the age of five learning computer coding and programming.
The club started in March this year at the RSA in Porirua East, and will be running indefinitely as children progress through more advanced stages of IT.
Tim Davies-Colley, executive programme manager of e-learning Porirua, says the club is run like a dojo.
Children earn prizes, badges and belts as they progress through different skills such as learning Blockley coding, Node coding and assembling a computer hard-drive from scratch, says Mr Davies-Colley.
“We show them the main components of a computer and point out specific parts like the processor, central processing unit and RAM and have them connect it all back up to the monitor and to boot the system up.
“If they get it right, they earn a badge for their belt.”
Mr Davies Colley says families attending are mostly from wealthier areas of Porirua, with parents who have an IT background.
“We are keen to see more kids from lower decile areas that have an interest in technology, even if their parents have no prior knowledge,” he says.
Eli Martin (10) says he loves using the variety of different programming languages.
“Programming is like a big powerful sword that you have to learn how to use and then your creativity is unleashed,” he says.
Bessie Martin (8) likes CoderDojo because it is opening new options and helps her to understand new things.
The club has the strict policy of parents staying at each session to encourage their children and help as mentors.
Eli’s and Bessie’s mother Emma Martin helps out as a mentor.“It’s just incredible seeing all of these kids so focused on learning,” says Emma.
“It’s not even just about coding. It’s about learning logical reasoning. And they love it.
“This generation has grown up playing games on iPads. The digital world is their water and they swim in it instinctively.”
Steve Stanley, whose 9-year-old son attends Coderdojo, says his son who has always been attracted to technology loves it.
“When he’s not at the sessions he gets into it at home too, and has worked through about 28 modules just in the past few weeks.”
Mr Stanley says he heard about an initiative in the UK which is teaching children computer coding in primary schools.
“In this generation many of the things kids are exposed to have been programmed by someone and if you don’t understand how it works, you have less of a choice in how to use it.
“Computer coding is a valuable skill to learn, as was something like car maintenance for my generation,” he says.
The club is free to attend, but a donation is encouraged if the family can afford it.
However, computers are donated and the software is mostly free to use so donations are not pushed.
Mr Davies-Colley says the programme teaches children IT skills, problem solving skills and logic, and gives them a head start in the digital age.
He is also designing a program specifically for Maori and Pacific teenagers.
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